millionaire hotel executive jim graves is spending big time to take down the tea party favorite. the polls are tightening in the process. so here's an interesting tidbit that you can share with your friends. the total spending of the 2012 election will beat the previous record by $700 million. are you ready for this? the 2012 election spending will reach a whopping $6 billion. kind of makes your head spin. >>> speaking of big bucks, this maryland man knows exactly when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. in fact, he's got over 8 million reasons to prove it. >>> everyone's wondering when's the next big storm. thankfully no time soon. also, that election day forecast. you're watching "early today." >>> stories making news this morning. the washington post reports that the obama administration has been in talks to build a new syrian opposition leadership to stop the violence from spreading across the middle east. the plan is also intended to prevent radical islamic fighters from taking control of the opposition group. >>> in south carolina income tax returns were targeted in the large